Mass separation of bridge deck into selected hands

ABSTRACT

A standard size bridge deck of cards adapted to be partitioned on a mass basis into any one of a certain number of previously selected, special interest, bridge hands from a randomly arranged disordered deck. Partitioning is accomplished by means slots selector pins inserted into holes and slots in the card deck. The selector pins are located in the deck by specially punched code cards which form a pilot pack.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John A. Baumann 1937 Wynnewood Road. Philadelphia. Pa. 19151 [21] Appl. No 820.381 [22] Filed April 30. 1969 [4.5) Patented June 22.1971

[54] MASS SEPARATION OF BRIDGE DECK INTO SELECTED HANDS 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C| 273/1491. 209/1 10.5 {51] Int. Cl A6311/14 [50] Field of Search 273/149 P. 152.44; 209/1 10.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 834.189 10/1906 Chadboume .273/ 149(P1UX 2.544.251 3/1951 BlOCk.... 209 1105 2.588.286 3/1952 Perwolf 3333 1111 .1 209/110.5

3.236.524 2/1966 Sh0Ok.... 273/152 .44

3.377.070 4/1968 NOHOH 273/149(P) FOREIGN PATENTS 1.325.858 3/1963 France 273 149 P 535.269 4/1941 GreatBritain 273 15244 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Jackson, Jackson & Chovanes ABSTRACT: A standard size bridge deck of cards adapted to be partitioned on a mass basis into any one of a certain number of previously selected, special interest, bridge hands from a randomly arranged disordered deck. Partitioning is accomplished by means slots selector pins inserted into holes and slots in the card deck. The selector pins are located in the deck by specially punched code cards which form a pilot pack.

PATENIEI] JUHEZI'BYI 3586;334

RESURRECTIONAL BLOCK MEMORY ADDRESSING IDENTIFICATION a DESTINATION DISTRIBUTION I MATCHING WTWA'UWMC5 ATTORNEY PATENlEnJunzzlsn 3586334 I SHEET 3 [1F 4 ATTORNEYS MASS SEPARATION OF BRIDGE DECK INTO SELECTED HANDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The playing card game of bridge, or its direct ancestors, whist and bridge-whist, have been popular for nearly 500 years. In the original game of whist, there was no dummy, no contract and the trump was determined for the dealer by chance, and not by choice. Bridge-whist established the right of the dealer or his partner to determine trumps, while the invention of bridge introduced the new idea of the exposed hand, the dummy, along with the selection of trump by the dealing partnership. This was supplanted by auction bridge in which the right to name trumps was determined by bidding. Essentially, the only form of bridge played today is contract and the variant duplicate bridge which only differs from its immediate predecessor, auction bridge, in the manner of scoring.

This evolution would indicate a steady and sustained movement further and further from a childlike game where luck is paramount and no great skills are needed, to a contest where scientific logic in communication and plays is highly necessary and desired.

However, because of the hazards of the shuffle and the deal, excellence of performance cannot be readily compared either with other parties or with ones own past performance, because no short-time yard stick, or par is available. An attempt to surmount this lack of easy and fair comparison resulted in the organization of so-called Duplicate Bridge contests. Here a sizable group of people assembled at one location and simultaneously all played a given set of hands; which, at the end of the session, are finally graded in a rating sequence based on comparative scores for each individual deal. Another approach is used in Annual Intercollegiate Bridge Contest, where contestants play the identical sets of hands. These hands, however, have been carefully prepared in advance and the results are then compared, not against the other contestants directly, but against predetermined, established standards for each hand. Each of these later approaches neutralizes or dilutes the hazards of card distribution, thus permitting the players comparative capabilities to be established more clearly. However, both require concurrence, a high degree of organization and administration such as would be unwarranted for smaller and impromptu groups.

The present invention present a means whereby any group of four or more bridge players, utilizing hands prepared by means of the invention, can conveniently play and compare their performance against previously established norms without nonplayer supervisory assistance or wasting of time.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of prior art systems and devices exist for forming a bridge deck into preselected bridge hands. These are relatively time consuming and complicated compared to the present invention. They all include the sorting of the 52 cards in a one-by-one fashion. This operation is introduced in one of two places and in one of two forms or combinations thereof, in all the prior state of the art. In the case where the choice has been made to identify each of the 52 playing cards by denomination, (the suit and the magnitude) it has been necessary to manually convert the disordered or randomly arranged deck on a one-card by one-card, individual, routine into a proper, strict order by ranking before further proceeding. This is illustrated in U.S. Pat.No. 3,114,553 and 3,312,473.

The other prior art form of placing cards into preselected hands is where the individual cards are identified, not by denomination, but by address or destination to the various hands. Here, some indicia must be manually identified on a one-card by one-card basis and manually supported or transported into its proper subset. See Phillips U.S. Pat. No. 2,666,645 and Benima U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,319.

One prior state of the art arrangement (Lang U.S. Pat. No. 3,222,071) proposes a combination of the two forms explained above but does not avoid the one-card by one-card sorting routine.

The proposed invention eliminates the requirements for a one-by-one pattern recognition, sorting, and transportation by the substitution of a simple batch, mass partitioning of the disordered or randomly arranged deck into the proper subsets of four predetermined hands.

FIG. I shows schematically the steps involved in the prior art, using the methods described above.

Initially, the prior art has required an identification, either by denomination (suits and card value) with a pigeonholing (compartmentizing) or by destination (North, South, East, West hands). This is shown by way of alternative routes in the progress going from left to right depicted in FIG. 1.

After or at the time of identification of the individual cards, a comparison for matching or addressing must be made. This matching addressing must be accomplished by means such as a memory bank or decoder. Finally, the distribution of the cards into preselected hands is accomplished.

Examination of the prior art patents shows a one-card by one-card operation within the above-depicted scheme.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bridge deck of playing cards is supplied, permissibly as a disposable item, with its edges coded by a series of punches and notches. Each of the playing cards is coded differently. The deck is accompanied by a number of different, individually sealed packs of pilot or code cards. Each pack of code cards include four or more specially punched individual cards which are used with the playing deck to provide one deal of four preselected hands.

To create one of the coded deals, a given pilot code pack is aligned on top of the disordered but squared deck of playing cards. The code cards will cover all the coding elements in the deck except for the current permitted active ones for the predetermined deal being made. Two or more pins, one or more on each side of the pack, are inserted down into the playing card deck through the only exposed holes in the code pack. The pins are then separated apart, carrying with each respectively the playing cards impaled by the pins. This divides the playing card deck into two parts, each containing a multiple of 13 playing cards, topped by different code cards with the one or two more holes exposed for activating the next pair of edge coding elements. It takes a minimum ofjust three of these quick operations to decompose the disordered, or randomly arranged, deck into four'composed subsets of l3 playing cards, each neatly stacked and topped by one card from the pilot code pack which will be labeled with the destination (N,W,S,E) and status information pertinent to the bidding and playing of that particular deal.

The individual sealed code packs are readily opened at time of play by a destructible, fragile seal, whose integrity is readily apparent. Secluded with the code pack prior to opening, and use is the information which provides a comparison of results to the bridge masters. This information may be placed on the back of a code card for convenient and ready use after the particular deal has been played.

The present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The entire forming of the disordered deck into four preselected hands is accomplished in two conceptual steps. The first step utilizes the memory for the upcoming deal that is encoded in one of the pilot packs to simultaneously accomplish identification, destination, and matching. Subsequently, the physical mass addressing and distribution is accomplished by suitable manual action. Thus, mass partitioning into four preselected hands is accomplished on a mass basis, eliminating the prior art tedious time consuming, one-card by one-card approach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic diagram of the illustration of the various prior art systems.

FIG. 2 is a-schematic block diagram of the apparatus and method of the invention.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate diagrammatically some of the various types of partitioning involved in this operation.

FIG. 4 shows various types of holes and punching in a given card.

FIG. 5 illustrates the partitioning of the playing card deck by means of the pilot code pack and pins.

FIG. 6 shows the security and the number of different combinations possible.

FIG. 7 shows one possible pallet or crib for use with the pins in separating the cards into the predetermined hands by means of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The proposed edge codings in the form of punched holes and notches will be described in reference to a single card of the deck as shown in FIG. 4. It should be understood however, that each playing card of the deck will be coded differently to achieve, with the pilot code pack, the proper hands. A playing card of a suitable paper composition, permissibly ofa more inexpensive and less durable make than is normally used so that the entire deck can be discarded after, for instance a night of play, has longitudinally opposed sides 21 and 22 and transversely extending opposed sides 23 and 25. The cards are of a conventional size and shape, for instance, a rectangle 2% by 3% inches, and are marked in the normal manner with the various deck denominations including the suits and the value. The edges of the cards are selectively punched with slots and holes. For instance, there may be a slot 26 and a hole 27 side by side, or there may be adjacent slots or adjacent holes. The holes are arranged selectively in longitudinal rows 29 and transverse columns. The slots are disposed perpendicularly to the edge and vary in depth from a single row as at 28 to a double row as at 30 and optionally a row deeper than two, as at 31. The slots and holes are also spaced along the transverse card edges, in a similar manner as at 32 and 33.

Each of the playing cards 20 in a given deck is selectively punched in different hole and slot combinations from the other cards in the deck. The punching pattern in the cards is governed by the end result sought; namely, a partitioning of the disordered deck, into preselected playing hands.

Skewer pins 80 and 81 shown in FIG. 5 in fragmentary form, are inserted into a disordered pack 82 at locations determined by the pilot pack. The deck 82 is initially disorganized from previous play, and then squared manually.

A pilot code pack, illustrated in exploded form in FIG. 5 consisting of cards 83, 84, 85, 86, and E7, is aligned with squared deck 82, and placed on top thereon. At this point, the playing deck 82 and the pilot pack 88 (consisting of cards 83 to 87) are compacted together and give the appearance of a single pack.

The combined playing deck 82 and pilot pack 88 are optionally placed in a holder for aid in physical partitioning as will later be described.

Skewer elements or pins 80 and 81 are in the form of a long thin cylinder or shaft 90 with suitable finger holds 91. Skewer pins 80 and 81 are inserted through the pilot pack 88 and the playing deck 82 at unique locations determined by the topmost card 83 in the pilot pack 88.

These locations are designated in card 83 by edge slots 92 and 93. The pins 80 and 81, will pass through holes or slots in the underlying cards. Outward lateral force is then applied to pins 80 and 81 causing the pilot pack as well as the playing deck to divide into two parts. The cards are so punched that each and every card will be impaled on either of the two skewer pins 80 and 81 but not on both. That is, each of the cards are so punched that one pin will pass through a hole on one edge of a given card, and the other pin will pass through a slot on the other edge of said card.

The combined packs are then in two parts, designated for explanation purposes West-South combined and North-East combined. Pilot cards 84 and 85 remain with the West-South part and pilot cards 86 and 87 remain with the North-East part.

At the end of the first partitioning described above, skewer pin is in part North-East, and skewer pin 81 is in part West- South. Card 83 drops between the parts at the end of the first partition and is no longer used in partitioning.

Skewer pin 80 is then relocated in the North-East part from hole in pilot card 86 to position 97. Another skewer pin is then inserted in hole 98 in card ['36. Part North-East is then partitioned into part North and part East by lateral outward forces exerted on the skewer pins located by card as as described. Pilot card 87 remains with the East part, and pilot card 86 remains with the North part.

The West-South part is then likewise partitioned into a West part and a South part.

At this point, the original disordered playing card deck is partitioned into four parts, or hands, each topped by a pilot card which is suitably designated on the topside as West, East, North, South, as well as dealer and vulnerability status.

The above-described partitioning is shown in a simplified, schematic manner in FIG. 3b. The disordered squared deck is shown at block NSEW. The first partitioning with pins 80 and 81 is represented by circle 10!). This forms parts WestSouth and North-East. Operation 101 is then performed to separate part East and part North. Operation 102 is then performed to separate part West and part South. Another elementary method of partitioning is shown in FIG. 3a. In this form, disorganized deck NEWS is initially separated into a North part on one hand, and a South-East-West part on the other hand. In subsequent separation, the deck is separated into individual South, East, and West parts.

Other sequences of separations optionally can be used, including more involved sequences, based on the structure of the present disclosure.

Suitably, the pilot cards contain on the concealed, or downward sides, information relating to the scoring or the play of the hand as arrived at by bridge masters. This could be used, as soon as the players have completed playing the current deal, to compare their immediate performance against that of the recognized authorities, there by establishing a par or a measurement for the skill and performance of the present players.

Alternatively, the information on specific hands can be separately made available, and can include other information, including, for instance, the results of bridge tournaments using the specific hands just played.

There is shown in FIG. 6 a security feature of the disclosed invention. A representative portion of a playing card deck is shown in exploded form. Pilot cards 111, as explained earlier, are aligned on top of the playing cards 110. The order in which pilot cards 111 are stacked, will have an influence on the distribution of the playing cards 110, whereby different stacking orders will yield different combinations of playing cards in an individual hand. The order of the pilot cards determines the order in which playing cards will be partitioned, so that merely by evaluating the slots on the playing cards one cannot visually predict in which hand the cards will eventually fall. For instance, if a skewer pin is inserted at location 113 before locating at 114 or 115, certain playing cards would be impaled and separated, which would not be the identical, same cards, as would be separated if the pin were located at 113 after the pin had been located at 114 or 115, because the permutation of the pilot cards makes the partitioning noncommutative.

There is shown in FIG. 7 a holder for aiding in the partitioning of the deck. A bipartable flat base 121, having holes 122 located at positions corresponding to the playing card and pilot pack card holes and slots, is hingedly secured to a frame 123. Frame 123 has a fixed portion 124 and hinged portions 125, connect by hinges 126. The squared playing card deck and pilot pack as described above are placed on closed base portions 121, which conforms in size to the deck. Skewer pins are placed as indicated above, and are inserted into the corresponding holes 122. The base is then separated as shown by the arrows into the position indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 7. This partitions the deck.

To increase the capacity of predetermined hands from a given playing de'ck,- transverse edge coding 33 and 34 is used. By inserting skewer pins into the codings 33 and 34, the pack can be oriented longitudinally in a predetermined manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination for effecting mass partitioning ofa disorganized bridge deck of playing cards into four predetermined bridge hands:

a. a bridge deck of playing cards;

b. coding elements in the form of internal holes and edge slots on each of the playing cards, said coding elements varying in pattern on each of the playing cards;

c. a plurality of pilot cards in pack form adapted to fit over the deck of playing cards, each of said pilot cards having designated holes and edge slots registering with some of the coding elements on selected playing cards in the deck, the designated holes and edge slots on the pilot cards having a different position on each of the pilot cards and forming means for positively insuring that only the desired playing cards will be partitioned to each of the four predetermined bridge hands; and d. retaining elements capable of passing through the designated holes and edge slots on the pilot cards and retaining selected playing cards in the deck. 2. The structure of claim 1, in combination with means for pulling apart the retaining elements.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the means for pulling apart the retaining elements comprises a bipartable pallet.

4. The structure of claim I, in combination with additional different pilot packs for use with said deck of playing cards. 

1. In combination for effecting mass partitioning of a disorganized bridge deck of playing cards into four predetermined bridge hands: a. a bridge deck of playing cards; b. coding elements in the form of internal holes and edge slots on each of the playing cards, said coding elements varying in pattern on each of the playing cards; c. a plurality of pilot cards in pack form adapted to fit over the deck of playing cards, each of said pilot cards having designated holes and edge slots registering with some of the coding elements on selected playing cards in the deck, the designated holes and edge slots on the pilot cards having a different position on each of the pilot cards and forming means for positively insuring that only the desired playing cards will be partitioned to each of the four predetermined bridge hands; and d. retaining elements capable of passing through the designated holes and edge slots on the pilot cards and retaining selected playing cards in the deck.
 2. The structure of claim 1, in combination with means for pulling apart the retaining elements.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the means for pulling apart the retaining elements comprises a bipartable pallet.
 4. The structure of claim 1, in combination with additional different pilot packs for use with said deck of playing cards. 